"Absolutely he's going to be back," Woodson said. "We like what he brings to the table. He's our starting point guard. He's a young point guard who's still learning, and he's going to be better. That's what happens to good, young players. If they work at their craft, they'll be much better for it. Absolutely, he wants to be here."

Lin will be among the legions of NBA free agents starting this Sunday, and since he's a restricted free agent, the Knicks can match any offer he gets to re-sign him.

Woodson apparently spent the last few days wooing Lin in Los Angeles. Lin and fellow Knicks stars Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony all met in L.A. with Woodson for some recreational time and "bonding," the New York Post reports.

While Lin created quite a fervor in New York last season through his incredible play after being mostly an NBA afterthought, there have been questions of whether the Knicks can afford to retain him, and whether Lin's playing style meshes with Anthony's and the coaching of Woodson.